Ben leaned in close, so close that Jamie could hear his every breath.

He asked, his voice cold, "Then tell me, what exactly do you think I should do? Should I go and break up with Winnie right now? Should I tell her what we just did, then drag her to a clinic for an abortion? Would that make you happy?"

"Of course not!" Jamie quickly protested, her face going pale. "That's your own child. Do you even hear what you're saying?"

Winnie wanted nothing more than a loving, happy family. Jamie couldn't bear the thought of shattering that dream.

"So, what's your solution?" Ben straightened up, looking down at her with cold amusement. "Go on, Jamie. Tell me what's really on your mind."

Jamie took a breath, speaking as sincerely as she could. "I'll do my best to make it up to you. I'll gather whatever money you want. I can disappear if that's what you need. Move far away so I'll never cross your path again. Just... take care of Winnie and pretend I'm gone." Ben's expression only hardened, his anger becoming more intense with every word. Finally, he let out a harsh laugh. "You really do have quite the imagination, Jamie. If there were a prize for wishful thinking, you'd win it."

Jamie's head dropped. She knew her offer probably meant little to him. Ben was one of the top lawyers in Birkham, with resources and influence beyond what she could ever match.

"I don't need your money," he said coldly. "What I want is for you to stay by my side. Just for four years. After that, we're done. You're free to go wherever you want, with whoever you want."

Jamie's heart sank at his words. If it weren't for Winnie, Jamie would have agreed to any terms. It could be four years, eight years, even ten years. But Winnie was involved.

In four years, her sister would be raising a child, sending them off to kindergarten, while she continued in this twisted relationship with her own sister's fiancé. Just thinking about it made Jamie feel like she was unraveling.

"Ben, do you really need to destroy me to feel satisfied?" she asked, voice trembling. Ben's actions and his words left her feeling cornered, trapped without a single way out.

"If being with me is worse than death for you, then I've found the perfect way to repay you," he sneered, his tone laced with venom. "It's your sister's engagement party. As her sister, why don't you try a smile?"

Ben reached out, roughly brushing her tears away. His calloused fingers scraped against her skin, nothing like the gentle touch he once had Once, he would have moved heaven and earth to ease her pain. Now, that tenderness was gone, replaced by bitterness and resentment.

Jamie forced herself to remember that Jack Green was gone. The person standing before her was Ben Lucas. No matter how much he resembled the man she had loved, he wasn't the same. She watched as Ben re-entered the party, walking over to Winnie.

She stood frozen in the hallway, unable to go forward, unable to turn back.

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